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AN ACT to amend Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 55, Chapter 1; Title 55, Chapter 10; Title 55, Chapter 12 and Title 55, Chapter 8, relative to personal delivery devices.
In one paragraph
Tennessee's 2020 personal delivery device law (Public Chapter 685, SB 2836) authorizes electric delivery robots that travel mainly on sidewalks and crosswalks and can navigate with or without the active control or monitoring of a natural person. The devices are not motor vehicles; they must yield to pedestrians, have lights and brakes, carry an owner ID and no placarded hazardous materials, and may go up to 10 mph in pedestrian areas. They are exempt from titling, registration and licensing, and operators must carry at least $100,000 of liability insurance. Effective July 1, 2020.
Plain-English summary, written with AI assistance. The official text controls.
What it means for business
Delivery-robot companies may operate autonomous sidewalk delivery devices in Tennessee subject to operating, equipment and insurance rules.
Key provisions
- Defines a personal delivery device as an electric device carrying property mainly on sidewalks and crosswalks, capable of navigating with or without active human control or monitoring
- Excluded from 'motor vehicle' and 'motor-driven cycle'; exempt from titling, registration and licensing laws
- Must yield to pedestrians, use front and rear lights at night, have a braking system and an owner identification marker
- Speed limit of 10 mph in pedestrian areas; no placarded hazardous materials
- Operators must maintain at least $100,000 of general liability insurance
Latest legislative action
Jun 15, 2020. Signed by Governor; Public Chapter 685
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This page is general information, not legal advice. Summaries are AI-assisted and may contain errors; read the statute for the controlling text and talk to a lawyer about your situation. Full disclaimer · Report an error